You cannot buy SpaceX stock directly, but you can invest in the company through private equity funds, special purpose acquisition companies, or by waiting for a potential public offering
SpaceX remains a privately held company, which means its shares do not trade on public stock exchanges like the Nasdaq or NYSE. Elon Musk and early investors own the company, and new investors can only gain exposure through specific routes: funds that hold private shares, blank-check companies that may eventually merge with SpaceX, or by becoming an accredited investor in a private funding round. None of these paths are as straightforward as buying stock in a public company.
The company has raised funding multiple times since 2002, most recently in 2023, but has not announced plans for an initial public offering (IPO). If SpaceX does go public in the future, you would then be able to buy shares through a standard brokerage account, just as you would with any other public company.
Key Takeaways
- SpaceX is privately held and does not offer public stock, so direct share purchases are not possible for most investors.
- Private equity funds and funds of funds sometimes hold SpaceX shares and are open to accredited investors, though minimums are typically $25,000 or higher.
- Blank-check companies (SPACs) have attempted to merge with SpaceX, but the company has not pursued this route.
- If SpaceX goes public, you will be able to buy shares through any brokerage account without special status or minimum investment.
- Investing in private companies carries higher risk and lower liquidity than public stock because you cannot sell shares easily and the company may never reach profitability.
Private equity funds that may hold SpaceX shares
Some private equity and venture capital funds have invested in SpaceX and allow outside investors to buy into the fund itself. These funds pool money from many investors and use it to buy stakes in private companies. If you invest in the fund, you own a small piece of the fund's holdings, which may include SpaceX shares.
Funds that have held SpaceX stakes include Founders Fund, Sequoia Capital, and Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). However, these are not open to the general public. To invest in them, you typically must be an accredited investor — a term defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that usually means you have a net worth of at least $1 million (excluding your home) or an annual income of at least $200,000 for individuals or $300,000 for married couples filing jointly.
Even as an accredited investor, you will face high minimum investments, often $25,000 to $100,000 or more per fund. The fund also charges management fees (typically 2 percent of assets per year) and takes a percentage of profits when investments are sold. These costs reduce your overall return.
Funds of funds as an alternative route
A fund of funds is an investment vehicle that buys shares in multiple private equity and venture capital funds rather than buying company shares directly. This approach spreads risk across many funds and companies, including SpaceX if the underlying funds hold it.
Funds of funds sometimes have lower accreditation requirements or minimum investments than direct private equity funds, though they still typically require accredited investor status. Examples include platforms like AngelList (now Wellfound) and Forge, which allow accredited investors to buy into secondary shares of private companies or fund interests. However, availability and terms change frequently, and not all platforms offer SpaceX exposure at all times.
The trade-off is that a fund of funds adds another layer of fees on top of the underlying fund fees, which further reduces returns. You are also less likely to own SpaceX directly; instead, you own a piece of a fund that owns a piece of another fund that may own SpaceX shares.
Secondary market platforms for private shares
Secondary markets are platforms where investors can buy and sell shares of private companies from other investors. Platforms like Forge, EquityZen (acquired by Sequoia), and Forge Global sometimes list SpaceX shares for sale by existing shareholders who want to exit their positions.
To buy on these platforms, you must be an accredited investor and pass the platform's verification process. Prices are set by supply and demand, not by the company itself, so SpaceX shares on a secondary market may be priced higher or lower than the company's last funding round valuation. Liquidity is limited — there may be few or no SpaceX shares available on any given day, and selling your shares later can take weeks or months.
These platforms charge transaction fees, typically 5 to 10 percent of the purchase price. They also do not may provide that you will find shares to buy or that you will be able to sell them when you want to.
What happens if SpaceX goes public
If SpaceX announces an IPO, the company will file a registration statement with the SEC and set a price for the initial offering. On the IPO date, shares will begin trading on a public exchange, and you will be able to buy them through any brokerage account (Fidelity, Charles Schwab, Vanguard, or others) without being an accredited investor.
The IPO price is typically set below the expected opening price to generate demand, so early buyers sometimes see gains on the first day. However, this is not may provide, and the stock can also fall. After the IPO, SpaceX shares will trade like any other public stock, and you can buy or sell them during market hours.
Elon Musk has stated in interviews that SpaceX may eventually go public, but he has not announced a timeline. The company remains focused on profitability and mission success rather than preparing for public markets.
Risks of investing in private SpaceX shares
Private company shares carry risks that public stock does not. SpaceX is not yet consistently profitable, and the space industry is capital-intensive and competitive. If the company faces technical setbacks, regulatory delays, or loses major contracts, its valuation could fall significantly. Unlike public shareholders, private investors have limited information about the company's finances because private companies do not file quarterly reports with the SEC.
Liquidity is another major risk. If you own SpaceX shares through a private fund or secondary market, you may not be able to sell them for years, or at all. Some funds lock up investor money for 7 to 10 years or longer. If you need cash before that period ends, you may have to sell at a steep discount on a secondary market or lose the investment entirely.
Accreditation requirements exist partly because private investments are riskier and less regulated than public stock. The SEC assumes accredited investors can afford to lose their money without financial hardship.
Comparing your options
| Route | Minimum Investment | Accreditation Required | Liquidity | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private equity fund | $25,000–$500,000+ | Yes | Low (7–10 year lockup) | 2% annually + 20% of profits |
| Fund of funds | $10,000–$100,000 | Yes (sometimes lower bar) | Low to moderate | 2–3% annually + layered fees |
| Secondary market platform | $1,000–$50,000 per share | Yes | Low (weeks to months to sell) | 5–10% per transaction |
| Public stock (if IPO occurs) | $100–$1,000 (typical share price) | No | High (sell any trading day) | $0–$10 per trade (brokerage dependent) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy SpaceX stock on Robinhood, Fidelity, or other brokerages?
Not currently. SpaceX is private, so it does not trade on any public exchange. If the company goes public, you will be able to buy shares through any brokerage. Until then, only accredited investors can access private shares through specialized platforms.
What does accredited investor mean, and how do I become one?
An accredited investor is defined by the SEC as someone with a net worth of at least $1 million (excluding home value) or annual income of at least $200,000 (individual) or $300,000 (married filing jointly). You do not need to explore; you self-certify this status when signing up for private investment platforms. Some platforms verify your claim through tax returns or financial statements.
How much has SpaceX raised, and what is the company worth?
SpaceX has raised over $7 billion across multiple funding rounds since 2002. As of its most recent funding round in 2023, the company was valued at approximately $180 billion, though this valuation is set by investors in that round and is not a market price. Private company valuations change with each funding round and do not reflect what shares would cost on a public market.
Is it better to wait for SpaceX to go public or invest in private shares now?
That depends on your risk tolerance and timeline. Private shares may appreciate significantly before an IPO, but they are also illiquid and riskier. Public shares will be easier to buy and sell but may be priced higher after the IPO. There is no way to predict which will deliver better returns.
What if SpaceX never goes public?
If SpaceX remains private indefinitely, your shares will remain illiquid and difficult to sell. You would be locked into the investment for the long term, or forced to sell at a discount on a secondary market. This is a real risk with private investments.